Team-first until the end.

That’s the legacy former captain and revered leader Nathan van Berlo will leave on the Club after walking off Adelaide Oval for the last time as a Crows player.

Van Berlo was applauded from the field by a guard of honour of Adelaide and Sturt players following the Club’s SANFL Preliminary Final loss on Sunday afternoon. It signaled the end to a career which had come full circle in terms of leadership, selflessness and a commitment to the team.

Drafted by Adelaide 12 years ago from Western Australia, van Berlo quickly earned a reputation as one of the hardest workers on the training track. ‘VB’ left no stone unturned in preparing his body and mind for the rigours of League football and he remains among the best endurance athletes the Club has ever seen.

His outstanding leadership potential was also evident from his early days as a Crow. ‘VB’ was voted into Adelaide’s leadership group in just his third season of AFL and became the first non-South Australian to captain the Club ahead of Season 2011.

A serious Achilles injury ruined his 2014 season and could’ve ended the career of a lesser man. But not van Berlo, who set the standard through his rehabilitation and returned to play a well-deserved 200^th game in the final round of last season.

While further injuries and fluctuating form have kept ‘VB’ in the SANFL for much of this season, his impact around the Club remained profound.

The ‘easy’ option would’ve been to pull the pin completely after announcing his retirement earlier in the month. Instead, van Berlo vowed to finish the season with his teammates and help guide the next generation of Crows through their first SANFL finals series.

Crows SANFL coach Heath Younie commended van Berlo’s dedication to the Club, its players and its people.

“Nathan’s been a wonderful contributor to our footy club for a long period of time and he’s left a footprint on our Club,” Younie said.

“He’s played an invaluable role for our Club this season, whether that’s at AFL or SANFL level, and has always carried himself in the right way and set the example for our younger players.

“VB’s been an outstanding person for this footy club for a long time.

“I want to say thank you to the Sturt Football Club for paying their respects to Nathan. They didn’t have to do that, but we really appreciate that.”

SANFL Stats: Preliminary Final

In another example of his team-first nature, van Berlo often assisted Crows coaching staff throughout his stints on the sidelines this season and also in 2014, regularly sitting in the coaches’ box to provide a different perspective on the game as it unfolded.

Now expecting his first child with his wife Jess, a decision has yet to be made on whether the 205-game Crow will remain in an off-field role next season.

“We’d love to keep him around the place but it’s too early to go into that,” Younie said.

“He’s an outstanding person to have around your footy club, but that will sort itself out in time.”

Whatever his decision, no one can question Nathan van Berlo’s commitment to the Crows.

Team-first until the end.